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Now, the object of our project is this Canadian girl: Otter Mark I Light Reconnaissance Car.

Otter Mark I Light Reconnaissance Car

History:

The Otter Light Reconnaissance Car (known officially by the British as "Car, Light Reconnaissance, Canadian GM Mark I") was a light armoured car produced by Canada during the Second World War for British and Commonwealth.

The Otter was designed in 1942 nd experiments began on a prototype immediately. Although of simple and rugged design, it did not compare as favourably as was hoped. It was considered under-powered, and the driver's visibility was poor, with the visors open or closed.

Otter's driver station

Despite these shortcomings, General Motors pressed ahead with production. The pilot model had pistol ports, extended turret armour and a different vision port for the driver. After testing, the spare tire mount was repositioned to a less obtrusive location, the pistol ports were omitted and vision ports were changed for production vehicles.

Although it used a more powerful engine than the Humber, it was larger and heavier (by a ton); overall performance was less than the Humber but still acceptable. Despite its problems, it was a popular vehicle with the troops, mainly because of its reliable mechanical components and its ease of maintenance.

Between 1942 and 1945, 1761 units were produced in Oshawa, Ontario, though fewer than 1.000 were delivered overseas.

Otter in Athens, Greece - 1943
Notice the spare wheel in low position

It saw service with the British Army in the latter stages of the North African campaign, and with both the British and Canadian armies. all through the' Italian campaign and in limited numbers in North-West-Europe after D-Day in June 1944.

Otter at the gates of Xanten, near of Rhine river
Germany -March, 1945.

ln the Canadian Army, it was used by Divisional Reconnaissance Regiments (e.g. the Princess Louise Dragoon Guards in Italy) as well as by Royal Canadian Engineer Field Squadrons and Royal Canadian Army Service Corps Transport Companies. It remained in Canadian service in the early post-war years.

Damaged Otters of Princess Louise Dragoon Guards
In the fields of Italy, 1943.

9.00 x 16 tires, like the specs.Use the wheels of M sprue, not the N!!

Big surprise: Two sets of additional spare wheels.
I love you, IBG!!!

As in the previous project (Ford DAF PAG-trekker), the kit comes with a super-detailed engine. But how it will be virtually invisible within the nose (which will be closed), I decided to mold and casting only the lower and visible portion of the engine. I will keep the excellent 6-cylinder engine for future projects in scratch. I really hate the waste!!

Using dental hydrocolloid reversible. Molding
the lower parts of the engine

Dental acrylic poured into the mold of hydrocolloid

And the lower engine is ready.

And the building continues... front and rear axles:

Sub-assembles waiting for the chassis:

Chassis in alignment under metal parts with squared walls.

Turret seat and rear panel

Chassis perfectly aligned

Perfect!!

The half-engine in position.
Do not be offended. In the end, everything will be OK !!

close-up

Wheel alignment. 90 degrees!!

Turret installed in the roof...

With shoes!!!

Notice the exhaust pipe adapted in the engine...

Starting the body...

Body glued to chassis...

The half-engine tip works !!!

Next steps: painting the interior.

The front hatches...

Filling a large gap between the snout and the hull ...

Finally, it's time to paint the interior of the Otter.

Preparing the interior...

Closing the roof. Notice the external
rear mirrors in metal.

Starting the external painting.... OD from Vallejo.

As usual, for my markings I like to drawing a profile: My girl belongs to 11st Field Company Royal Canadian Engineers of 2nd Canadian Infantry Division - Head Quarters Platoon, 2nd. Platoon, in duties at May-Sur-Orne, Normandy, France, in August, 1944. Notice the front wheel in the snout of my girl: As the kit provides two spare tires, I wanted to use them. If I were crew of this vehicle in front and could carry a spare wheel, I assure you that I carry ... No doubt !!

I was almost forgetting: You remember the molding of the bottom of the engine ?? Once the engine painted, here's the final result. I think it was worth the use of acrylic copy because the final results are very good. and I won a brand new engine for my scrap box ...